Staple extractor



April 24, 1934.

J. F. CAVANAGH STAPLE EXTRACTOR Filed July 29, 1932 Patented Apr. 24,I 1934 s'rAPLE Ex'raacron f John F. Cavanagh, Providence, It.k l., assignor to Boston Wire Stitcher Company, Portland,

Maine, a corporation of Maine I Application July 29, 1932, serian No. 625,772@ 1s cnam. (or. 25a-f2s) This invention relates to an implement for extracting or withdrawing staples and similar fasteners from articles fastened together or held thereby and particularly to a staple-extracting 5 device 'of the same general character as that shown and described in my copending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 581,818,-

filed December 18, 1931. rI'he present invention consists in improvements in the construction and lO method of operation of the device, which, in its preferred form, is constituted as a plier-like implement adapted to be manually operated to extract the staples without mutilating or otherwise damaging the sheets of material or other articles fastened thereby. f

One object of the invention is to provide a small, light-weight, compact ydevice of the type specified which may be used as-a desk implement or carried in the pocket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified having means for insertion under the head of the staple to press against the work and other means movable relatively thereof to withdraw the staple without crinkling or buckling the paper or damaging the work.

x Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specied which is operative to withdraw or extract the staple by causing its clinched legs to be straightened without tearing or mutilating the paper or other articles held by the staple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specied which is operative to extract or withdraw the staple without unduly buckling or bending its head or crossbar so as to prevent tearing the paper' or other material held by the staple.

Another object of the invention is to provide 40 a device of the type specified in which the stapleextracting elements are detachably mounted on the jaws of the implement tov provide for theirv convenient removal whereby other elements of diierent dimension may be substituted in their r place for operating on staples and fasteners of varying size and shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and eilicient device of the type speciiied 5 comprised of a minimum number of sheet-metal preferred form of construction of the device'by parts adapted for economical manufacture and way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the present improved staple-extracting device showing the parts in normal position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the forward part of the implement;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. l illustrating the relationship of the various parts at the completion of the staple-extracting operation;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the device looking toward its jaws and illustrating the parts in position at the rst operation of extracting a staple;

Fig. 5 isl a similar view showing the parts in position as the staple is being withdrawn from the work; I

Fig. 6 is a crosstsectional view through the handles of the device, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and showing the means for limiting the movement of the handles;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the staple-ex* tracting element of the device;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view oi the work-engaging beak or blade; and

Fig. 9I is a perspective view of the spring-element employed for drawing the jaws of the device together.

As before indicated, my invention is preferably embodied in a device taking the form of a, pair oi' pliers having pivoted jaws which are movable relatively of each other under manual pressure on their handles. One jaw of the implement is provided with a beak-like blade adapted for insertion under the head or crossbar of the staple and the other jaw carries hook-like projections or prongs normally seated in recesses in the blade and adapted to be separated with respect thereto to pry the staple out of the work as the blade is pressed thereagainst.

To render the device light in weight and economical to manufacture its parts are preferably constructed of sheet-metal struck up in dies and shaped to the form as hereinafter described. The main operating members 2 and 3 of the pliers are of conventional shape, being of channel form with curved handles 4 and 5, preferably of semicircular contour in cross sectionas shown in Fig. 6 of, the drawing. The opposed jaws 6 and 7 of the members 2 and 3 of the pliers are also of channellike construction having opposite parallel side walls 8 and 9 with relatively dat connecting portions 10 and 1l arranged in opposite relationship and carrying the two operating elements of the staple-extracting means to be later described.

The members 2 and 3 are pivotally connected to adapt their jaws 6 and '7 -to be opened or spread shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the side Vwalls 8 and 9 of the jaws 6 and 'I are provided with semicircular apertures 12, the edges of which are received in circumferential grooves formed at the ends of a pivot-stud 14. 'Iihe edges of the apertures closely nt within the grooves 15 in the stud 14 so that the latter, in addition to jserving as a pivot for thev members 2 and 3, acts to prevent both longitudinal and lateral displacement thereof. Rearwardly of the pivot-stud`14 the sides walls 8 and 9 are cut away at 16 to provide clearance so that theihandles 4 and 5 may be ydrawn together in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 3. Referring'now to Fig. 6, ears or lugs 18 are bent inwardly from the side walls 8 and 9, being adapted to contact to act as stops for limiting the movement of the handles 4 and 5 at the completion of the' staple-retracting operation. Movement of the handles 4 and 5 in the opposite direcy tion is limited by the engagement of the upper ing the two members 2 and 3 and acts to yieldingly hold their jaws 6 and 'l in closed relationship with the'edges of the side walls 8 and 9 thereof in abutting engagement. The spring-element 20, shown in detail in Fig. 9, consists of a strip of tempered metal folded into U-shape with the sides of the U converging toward its open end to conform to the portions lo and 11 of the jaws 6 and? when the latter are in closed position. The opposed ends of the U-shaped spring 20 are provided with`slots 21, the edges of whichv engage vunder the heads 22 of a pair of studs 23 projecting inwardly from the portions 10 and 11 of thegjaws 6 and 7. The reduced ends of the studs 23 are riveted through holes in the portions 10 and 11 of the jaws 6 and 7 and spaced at a distance from their heads 22 are peripheral anges 25 employed for a purpose as later explained.

-' rIn assembling the parts of the device thus far described the-spring 20 is first inserted between the jaws 6 and 7 with its slotted ends engaging the studs` 23. The pivot-stud 14 is then placed in position across the side walls 8 and 9 of the members 2 and 3 with the edges of their apertures 12 engaged with the grooves 15 therein. In this relationship'the stud 14'engages,.the folded end of the spring 20 to act as a retainer for preventing displacement of. the spring.

A blade-like member 2 6, shown in detail in Fig. 8, is mounted on one of the jaws of the device to 'be pressed against the paper or other workin re- The forward end of the blade 26 is oifset downwardly to a slight extent and curved upwardly in arcuate shape to form a beak 29 terminating in a rounded point 30. The under side of the beak 29 is beveled or tapered toward its point in the manner of a knife-blade to provide for its convenient insertion under the head or crossbar of the staple to be extracted. Preferably, the blade 26 is formed on its lateral edges with abutments or shoulders 32 which are adapted to engage the sides or legs ofthe staple to serve as stops for the beak 29 as it is inserted under the head of the staple. The beak 29 of the blade 26 is provided `with opposite parallel slots or openings- 33 which apart during the staple-extracting operation. As Y,

are used for a purpose as later explained. t

The rearward end of the blade 26 is provided witha longitudinally-extending slot 34, the edges of which are adapted to engage the sides of the stud 23 in the jaw r1 when the blade is inserted therein. It will be observed by reference to Fig. 8 that the sides of the bifurcated portion of the blade 26, formed by the slot 34, diverge outwardly toward its rearward endV to provide that when the blade is slid into the jaw 7 the sides will be compressed by engagement with the side k,walls 9y of the jaw to frictionally grip thereagainst. lIhe a bifurcated plate-portion 36 similarin outline q to that of the blade 26 and havingv a longitudinal slot 37 with the sides formed thereby diverging outwardly toward its rearward end. vThe member 35 is 'inserted into the jaw 6 with its sides r embracing the stud 23 between the flange 25 and the wall 10 and with the bifurcated portion compressed to frictionallyengage the sides 8 of the Jaw. I

The member 35 is narrowed at its forward end and formed with flanges 38 bent downwardly from its sides. The bottom portions of *the iianges 38 are extended forwardly to f orm pro-r` jecting hook-like prongs 40 of curved outline which normally seat in the openings 33 in the beak 29 of` the blade,26. In this position the prongs 40 are adapted to be inserted under the head of the staple as the beak 29 is slid thereunder in the manner as later more fully setV forth. The member 36 is formed at its forward end with a projecting ear lor lug 39 bent upwardly from the plane'of its top portion. The ear 39 serves as a guard for preventing the head or i,

cross-bar of the staple from buckling or bending upwardly excessively during its removal from the work. The method of operation of the device is as next explained.

Wire staples and similar fasteners are employed very generally for attaching papers and documents and also for many other purposes such as attaching tags and labels to articles of commerce, tacking sheets of paper to drawingboards, fastening curtains to rollers, matting and the like to iioors and in sundry other uses too numerous to mention. In some cases the staples are used as a permanent fastening means, but in other instances their use is temporary when it,

is desired to detach the papersor other articles.

Various expedients have been tried for applying the staples to the Work in such manner that they may be easily and conveniently removed, .but in most cases such methods of clinching the staples result in an insecure fastening of the parts; and where the staples are clinched in the usual manner it has been well nigh impossible to remove them from the work without tearing or mutilating it.

With the present improved implement staples l clinched in the usual way may be withdrawn from the work conveniently and expeditiously without danger of tearing the papers or otherwise mutilating the articles fastened thereby. In operating the device the handles 4 and 5 of the pliers lau lli)

, periods of time.

V1,956,1ea n members having handles at one end and opposedy aregrasped in the hand in the usual manner with the jaws held normally in closed relationship by the spring 20 as shown in Fig. 1. With the jaws closed the prongs are depressed within the slots or openings 33 of the beak 29. Holding the work with one hand, the'operator simply inserts the curved sharpened beak 29 of the blade 26 under the crossbar b of the staple s, see /Fig. 4, and slides it forwardly with a rocking action until the lateral shoulders 32 on the blade bring up against the legs ofthe staple. With the parts of the device in this position the hook-like prongs 40 will be located, beneath the crossbar b of the staple s at points adjacent the legs thereof and itis then only necessary to force the handles 4 and 5 toward each other to withdraw the staple in the manner as next explained.

As pressure is exerted on the handles 4 and 5 of the pliers its opposed jaws 6 and 7 will be forced apart against the tension of the spring 20.

yDuring this operation the blade 26 is pressedagainst the top of the work and the prongs 40 will be drawn away therefrom to pry the staple out of the work in the manner indicated in Fig. 5. The ear 39 on the forward end of the member .35 acts as a guard for engaging the head of the staple Yto prevent excessive buckling thereof, whereby the prongs 40 will retain their grip to pull both legs out at the same time; this action being illustrated by dashl lines in Fig. 5. As the staple is withdrawn in this manner the clinched ends of its legs are bent back and straightened, due to the pressure of the blade 26 against the work, and at the same time the sheets of paper or other articles are held from buckling or bending. .Stated another way, the bent endsof the legs of the staple are forced apart through their engagement with the lateral edges of the blade ,29 and thus they are straightened without tending to tear or mutilate the paper sheets or other articles through which the staple is withdrawn. As has been demonstrated in practice, the legs of the staple will be straightened and withdrawn through the work without tearing or greatly enlarging the holes through which the legs have been clinched. The devicethus provides a most convenient and eicient appliance for extracting staples and similar fasteners where it is required to detach the articles held ltogether or fastened thereby.

It is to be observed that the present device is extremely simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, besides being light in weight and of small compass to render it adaptable for carrying in the pocket. Moreover, the appliance' is practically proof against derangement or getting out of order and is durable in use over long elements of the device are detachable toprovide that they may be easily removed from the jaws of the pliers for repair or replacement should they becomel worn or broken or when it is desired to substitute other elements of different dimension capable of extracting staples orsimilar fasteners of vvarying proportions.

While the invention is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of `con struction, itis to be understood that various modications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type specified, the com bination of a pair of pivotally-connected plier Furthermore, the extracting.

jaws at their opposite end, anged studs pro-- jecting from the jaws, and a pair of bifurcated members adapted-to be slid into position to engage the studs on the jaws, one of said members being adapted to press against the work and the other member being provided with means for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a pair of pivotally-connected plier ,l

members having handles at one end and opposed jaws at the opposite end formed of channel shape, studs projecting into the channels of the jaws, and bifurcated members formed with longitudinal slots to adapt .them to be slid into en gagement with .the studs to maintainr said members against the' walls of the jaws, one ofv said members formed with means for bearing against the work and the other member provided with means for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work.

3. In a device of the type specified, the com-r bination of a" pair of pivotally-connected plier members having handles at `one end and hollow jaws at the opposite end, studs projecting into the hollow portions of the jaws and formed with circumferential anges spaced from the wal1s` thereof, and a pair of slotted vmembers adapted to be slid into engagement with the lstuds between their flanges and the walls of the jaws 'to secure them xedly thereto while providing for their convenient removal therefrom, one of said members being adapted to bear against the'. j

work and the other of said members having means for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out o f the work.`

4. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a pair of pivotally-connected plier members having channel-shaped jaws, studs projecting into the channels of the jaw and formed with heads at their ends and annular flanges intermediate their heads and the walls of the jaws, slotted members slidable into the jaws to engage around the studs between their flanges and the walls of the jaws, one of said members adapted to bear against the work and the other said member having means for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work, and a U-shaped spring havingslottedA ends engaging under the heads of the studs on the jaws of the members to normally hold the latter in closed relationship.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a pair of channel-shaped plier members having opposite side walls connected by intervening portions, said side walls formed with arcuate openings in their edges, a pivot-pin arranged across the walls of the members and provided with peripheral grooves engaging the edges of the arcuate openings thereof, studs projecting into the channel of the jaws of said members, a U-shaped spring having slotted'ends engaging around the studs in the jaws to normally maintain the latter in closed relationship, means on one of the jaws for pressing against the work, and means on the opposite jaw adapted forinsertion under the head of a staple to pry the latter out of the work when said 4jaws are carried into open relationship.

6. In a device of the type specified,- the combination of a pair of channel-shaped plier members having handles at one end and jaws at their opposite end, said jaws having opposite side walls connected by intervening portions and said side walls formed with semicircular openings, a pivotpin extending' between the jaws and formed with peripheral grooves engaging` the edges of the openings in the side Iwalls thereoi, headed studs projecting into 'the channel of the jaws, a U- shaped spring having its rearward folded portion engaging against the side of the pivot-pin and formed with slots at its fre'e en ds engaging around the studs under their heads, means on one of the jaws adapted to bear against the work, and means on 'the opposite jaw for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work.

'7. In a device of the type specied, the combination of a pair of pivotally-connected plier members having handles at one end andv jaws at their opposite end, a member slidably engaged with one of the jaws and formed with a projecting tapered beak adapted to be inserted under the head of a staple to bear 'against the work, and a member slidably engaged with the opposite jaw and projecting therefrom with ilanges folded downwardly from its sides and extended forwardly in hooked prongs adapted for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work.

8. In a device, of the type specified, the combination of va pair of piVotally-connected plier members having handles at one end and hollow jaws at the opposite end, studs in the hollow portions of the jaws, and blade members having bifurcated portions with converging sides adapted to be slid into the hollow jaws to engage the studs as their sides frictionally engage against the side walls of the jaw, one of said blades formed with a projecting beak adapted to L bear against the work and the other blade having prongs for insertion under the head of a staple to pry it out of the work.

sockets on their opposed sides, a pivot-pin received in the sockets of both members, studs'in the jaws of said members, and a spring secured to the studs and acting between said members to hold them permanently engaged with the pivpt-pin while tending to maintain' their jaws in 'closed relationship.

10. In a plier construction, the combination of a pair of members having handles at one end and jaws at the opposite end and portions of substantially channel shape with semicircular sockets in their sides, a pivot-pin engaged with the sockets Iin the sides of, said ymembersl and formed with peripheral grooves' for receiving the edges thereof, and a substantially U-shaped spring member having its free ends secured to the members to hold them in engagement with the pivot-pin and normally tending to maintain the jaws in closed relationship.

11. In an implement for the purposes specied, the combination of apair of relatively movable members having 'opposite socketedl jaws, and staple-extracting members having oppositelydisposed divergent legs slidable within said jaws to frictionally engage the sides thereof to detach- -ably retain them in place.

12. In an implement for the purposes specied, thel combination of a pair of plier members having opposite socketed jaws, and staple-extracting members adapted to be inserted into said jaws and slotted to provide resilient portions for binding thereagainst to detachably secure them in place on the jaws.

13. In an implement for the purposes specified, the combination of a pair of plier members having opposite channel-shaped jaws, and staple-extracting gements of siotted bifurcated form having opposite divergent legs adapted to be slid into the jaws with their legsbinding against the sides thereof to retain them in place.

JOHN F. CAVANAGH. 

